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Pacific Northwest Dragonflies (Anisoptera)

 
  Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Aeshnidae

AESH-ni-dee

Darner Body long and slender; voracious hunters; matures in 1-8 years, depending on species and geographic lattitude.. Thorax with two side stripes or none; each abdominal segment with multiple spots or none; female uses the needle-like end of its abdomen to pierce a plant stem and insert eggs; vary in length from 2-5"; thorax robust; abdomen long and slender..
Aeshna Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Aeshna

Blue Darner. . .
Species californica

California Darner. Habitat: ponds, lakes. In adult stage: late-Apr to early-Aug.
Species canadensis

Canada Darner. Habitat: ponds, lakes. In adult stage: mid-Jul to mid-Oct; Length: 64-73 mm.
Species constricta

Lance-tipped Darner. Habitat: ponds; Length: 36-38 mm. In adult stage: early-Jul to late-Sep; Length: 65-73 mm.
Species eremita

Lake Darner. Habitat: lakes. In adult stage: early-Jul to early-Nov; Length: 66-79 mm.
Species interrupta

Variable Darner. Habitat: lakes; Length: 39 42 mm. In adult stage: early-Jul to mid-Oct; Length: 65-70 mm.
Species juncea

Sedge Darner. Habitat: ponds, small lakes. In adult stage: mid-Jul to early-Oct; Length: 61-69 mm.
Species multicolor

Paddle-tailed Darner. Habitat: ponds, lakes. In adult stage: mid-May to mid-Oct.
Species palmata

Paddle-tailed Darner. Habitat: ponds, lakes; Length: 37-43 mm. In adult stage: mid-Jun to early-Nov; Length: 63-74 mm.
Species sitchensis

Zigzag Darner. Habitat: lakes, fens; Length: 30-37 mm. In adult stage: late-Jul to early-Sep; Length: 54-64 mm.
Species subarctica

Subarctic Darner. Habitat: lakes, fens. In adult stage: late-Aug; Length: 63-70 mm.
Species tuberculifera

Black-tipped Darner. Habitat: ponds, lakes. In adult stage: mid-Jul to early-Oct; Length: 71-78 mm.
Species umbrosa

Shadow Darner. Habitat: ponds, lakes, slow streams; Length: 38-43 mm. In adult stage: mid-Jun to mid-Nov; Length: 68-78 mm.
Anax Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Anax

Green Darner. . .
Species junius

Common Green Darner. Habitat: ponds, lakes, slow streams; Length: 43-47 mm. In adult stage: late-Apr to late-Oct; Length: 68-80 mm.
Rhionaeschna Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Rhionaeschna

Darner. . .
Species californica

California Darner. Habitat: ponds, lakes; Length: 33-37 mm. In adult stage: early-Apr to late-Aug; Length: 57-64 mm.
Species multicolor

Blue-eyed Darner. Habitat: ponds, lakes; Length: 35-40 mm. In adult stage: mid-May to late-Oct; Length: 68 mm.
  Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Cordulegastridae

Biddie Nymphs are large, squat, hairy, and bury themselves in the sediment, may remain buried and motionless for weeks awaiting prey; distinguished by spoon-shaped labium w/large, irregular dentations in the palpal lobes; females w/a unique, elongated, secondary ovipositor.. Body black with two yellow stripes on thorax, yellow spots on abdomen; eyesmeet at a single point on top of the head; female hovers over water,jabbing her abdomen into the pond bottom to oviposit..
Cordulegaster Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Cordulegaster

Biddie. . .
Species dorsalis

Pacific Spiketail. Habitat: small streams. In adult stage: mid-Jun to late-Aug; Length: 70-85 mm.
  Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Corduliidae

Emerald Body short and squat; inhabit streams, bogs, or coldwater lakes in more northerly lattitudes or higher elevations; often take 2 years to mature; don't move around much, prefering to lay concealed on bottom and wait for prey venture near.. Eyes bright green or turquoise; thorax color metalic green or bronze; abdomen almost entirely black;female oviposits by dipping tip of the abdomen in water while hovering just above the surface.
Cordulia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Cordulia

Skimmer. . .
Species shurtleffii

American Emerald. Habitat: ponds, lakes; Length: 20-23 mm. In adult stage: mid-May to mid-Sep; Length: 43-50 mm.
Epitheca Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Epitheca

Baskettail. . .
Species canis

Beaverpond Baskettail. Habitat: ponds, streams. In adult stage: early-may to late-Jul; Length: 40-47 mm.
Species spinigera

Spiny Baskettail. Habitat: ponds, lakes. In adult stage: late-Apr to late-Aug.
Somatochlora Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Somatochlora

Bog Skimmer. . .
Species albicincta

White-ringed Emerald. Habitat: ponds, lakes; Length: 20-24 mm. In adult stage: mid-Jul to mid-Oct; Length: 45-52 mm.
Species franklini

Delicate Emerald. Habitat: sedge fens. In adult stage: mid to late-Aug.
Species minor

Ocellated Emerald. Habitat: small streams; Length: 20-22 mm. In adult stage: early-Jul to mid-Aug; Length: 42-50 mm.
Species semicircularis

Mountain Emerald. Habitat: bogs, fens; Length: 21-22 mm. In adult stage: mid-Jun to early-Oct; Length: 47-52 mm.
Species walshii

Brush-tipped Emerald. Habitat: small streams, fens. In adult stage: early-Jul to early-Sep.
Species whitehouse

Whitehouse¹s Emerald. Habitat: fens. In adult stage: early to mid-Aug.
  Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Gomphidae

Clubtail have upturned tips on abdomen allowing them to breathe while burrowed in sand or mud by pumping water in and out of abdomen through tips; primarily inhabit streams and rivers, although some species are found in lakes. eyes completely separated; male w/widened segments at end of abdomen, female to lesser extent; require sunlight to maintain body temperature; crawls onto horizontal bank during daylight hours and quickly emerges; female oviposits by hovering and dipping tip of abdomen in water..
Erpetogomphus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Erpetogomphus

Snake Darner. . .
Species compositus

White-belted Ringtail. Habitat: streams, rivers. In adult stage: Apr to Oct; Length: 46-55 mm.
Gomphus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Gomphus

Common Clubtail. . .
Species graslinellus

Pronghorn Clubtail. Habitat: lakes, streams; Length: 29 mm. In adult stage: mid-Jun to early-Jul; Length: 47-53 mm.
Species kurilis

Pacific Clubtail. Habitat: lakes. In adult stage: early-Jun to mid-Aug.
Species lynnae

Columbia Clubtail. Habitat: rivers. In adult stage: early-Jun to mid-Aug.
Octogomphus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Octogomphus

Eighttoothed Clubtail. . .
Species specularis

Grappletail. Habitat: streams, small rivers. In adult stage:.
Ophiogomphus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Ophiogomphus

Snake Darner. . .
Species occidentis

Sinuous Snaketail. Habitat:. In adult stage: late-May to early-Aug.
Species severus

Pale Snaketail. Habitat: streams, rivers; Length: 25-27 mm. In adult stage: late-May to mid-Aug; Length: 49-52 mm.
Progomphus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Progomphus

Clubtail. . .
Species borealis

Gray Sanddragon. Habitat: sandy streams; Length: 25-27 mm. In adult stage: early-Jun to Sep; Length: 57 mm.
Stylurus Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Stylurus

Clubtail. . .
Species olivaceus

Olive Clubtail. Habitat: streams, rivers; Length: 36 mm. In adult stage: early-Jul to early-Nov; Length: 56-60 mm.
  Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Libellulidae

lie-bell-LU-li-dee

Skimmer Most diverse family of dragonflies; found in all water types; nymphal body is short and stocky; typically sit in debris on bottom and wait for prey to venture near. most genera of this family scan for flying insects from perch on twigs or rocks, several other genera fly constantly during the day; emerge at night by crawling up vegetation; female oviposits by hovering and dipping tip of abdomen in water..
Erythemis Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Erythemis

Skimmer. . .
Species collocata

Western Pondhawk. Habitat: ponds, marshy lakes; Length: 15-17 mm. In adult stage: mid-May to mid-Sep; Length: 42-44 mm.
Species simplicicollis

Eastern Pondhawk. Habitat: ponds, marshy lakes. In adult stage: mid-May to early-Oct.
Ladona Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Ladona

Corporal Skimmer. . .
Species julia

Chalk-fronted Corporal. Habitat: ponds, lakes, bogs. In adult stage: mid-May to late-Aug.
Leucorrhinia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Leucorrhinia

Whitefaced Skimmer. . .
Species borealis

Boreal Whiteface. Habitat: marshy ponds. In adult stage: mid-Jun to mid-Jul.
Species glacialis

Crimson-ringed Whiteface. Habitat: ponds, lake edges. In adult stage: early-Jun to mid-Aug.
Species hudsonica

Hudsonian Whiteface. Habitat: ponds, bogs; Length: 16-18 mm. In adult stage: late-Apr to early-Oct; Length: 27-30 mm.
Species intacta

Dot-tailed Whiteface. Habitat: ponds, lake edges; Length: 14-19 mm. In adult stage: In adult stage: mid-May to early-Sep; Length: 33-36 mm.
Species proxima

Red-waisted Whiteface. Habitat: ponds, lake edges; Length: 19-21 mm. In adult stage: mid-Jun to early-Sep; Length: 33-36 mm.
Libellula Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Libellula

Skimmer. . .
Species forensis

Eight-spotted Skimmer. Habitat: ponds, lakes; Length: 18-21 mm. In adult stage: late-Apr to early-Oct; Length: 45-51 mm.
Species julia

Chalk-fronted Corporal. Habitat: ponds, lakes. In adult stage: mid-Jun to Sep.
Species luctuosa

Widow Skimmer. Habitat: lakes. In adult stage: mid-Jul to early-Oct; Length: 43 mm.
Species pulchella

Twelve-spotted Skimmer. Habitat: ponds, lakes; Length: 24-27 mm. In adult stage: early-May to mid-Sep; Length: 50-57 mm.
Species quadrimaculata

Four-spotted Skimmer. Habitat: ponds, lakes; Length: 22 26 mm. In adult stage: mid-Apr to late-Sep; Length: 40-45 mm.
Pachydiplax Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Pachydiplax

Blue pirate Skimmer. . .
Species longipennis

Blue Dasher. Habitat: ponds, lakes; Length: 18-21 mm. In adult stage: early-Jun to early-Oct; Length: 35-45 mm.
Pantala Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Pantala

Globe Skimmer. . .
Species flavescens

Wandering Glider. Habitat: ponds; Length: 24-26 mm. In adult stage: mid-Jun to mid-Aug; Length: 44-50 mm.
Species hymenaea

Spot-winged Glider. Habitat: ponds, slow streams. In adult stage: mid-Jun to mid-Sep.
Plathemis Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Plathemis

Whitetailed Skimmer. . .
Species lydia

Common Whitetail. Habitat: ponds, lakes. In adult stage: early-May to early-Oct; Length: 43 mm.
Sympetrum Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Sympetrum

Red Skimmer. . .
Species corruptum

Variegated Meadowhawk. Habitat: ponds, lakes; Length: 19 mm. In adult stage: mid-Apr to early-Nov; Length: 39-42 mm.
Species costiferum

Saffron-winged Meadowhawk. Habitat: ponds, lakes; Length: 18 mm. In adult stage: mid-Jun to early-Nov; Length: 31-37 mm.
Species danae

Black Meadowhawk. Habitat: ponds, lakes; Length: 14-16 mm. In adult stage: mid-Jul to late-Oct; Length: 26-31 mm.
Species illotum

Cardinal Meadowhawk. Habitat: ponds, lakes; Length: 18 mm. In adult stage: mid-May to early-Oct; Length: 38-40 mm.
Species internum

Cherry-faced Meadowhawk. Habitat: ponds, lakes; Length: 14-16 mm. In adult stage: early-Jul to late-Sep; Length: 21-36 mm.
Species madidum

Red-veined Meadowhawk. Habitat: ponds, slow streams; Length: 16 mm. In adult stage: early-Jun to mid-Sep; Length: 40-45 mm.
Species obtrusum

White-faced Meadowhawk. Habitat: ponds, lakes; Length: 16 mm. In adult stage: late-Jun to early-Oct.
Species occidentale

Western Meadowhawk. Habitat: ponds, lakes; Length: 16 mm. In adult stage: mid-Jun to mid-Oct; Length: 31-40 mm.
Species pallipes

Striped Meadowhawk. Habitat: ponds, lakes. In adult stage: early-Jun to early-Nov; Length: 34 mm.
Species vicinum

Yellow-legged Meadowhawk. Habitat: ponds, lakes; Length: 12-15 mm. In adult stage: mid-Jul to mid-Nov; Length: 30-35 mm.
Tramea Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Tramea

Raggedy Skimmer. . .
Species lacerata

Black Saddlebags. Habitat: ponds, lakes. In adult stage: mid-Jun to mid-Sep; Length: 50 mm.
  Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Macromiidae

River Cruiser Body almost round with very long legs; inhabit streams and rivers, sometimes lakes w/water movement; sit on debris on bottom and wait for prey to venture near. Body large, eyes green and just barely meet at the top of the head; conspicuous single stripe on each side of thorax; each abdominal segment with a single central yellow spot; emerge at night by crawling up streamside vegetation; cruise down middle of sfream at high speed; male oviposits by dipping tip of the abdomen in water while flying just above the surface.
Macromia Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Macromia

River Cruiser. . .
Species magnifica

Western River Cruiser. Habitat: streams, rivers; Length: 30-32 mm. In adult stage: mid-Jun to late-Aug; Length: 69-74 mm.
  Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Family Petaluridae

Grayback Inhabit seepage areas or spring bogs and are burrowers. Eyes completely separated; thorax black w/numerous yellow spots; males w/distinctive, leaf-like superior appendages.
Tanypteryx Taxonomic Name Common Name Larval Characteristics Adult Characteristics
Genus Tanypteryx

Western Grayback. . .
Species hageni

hog-en-eye

Black Petaltail. Habitat: hillside seeps. In adult stage: mid-Jun to early-Sep.

Created: 08/13/2005   Last modified: 08/25/2006    www.FlyfishingEntomology.com